Wednesday reader's view: To ski or not to ski

by Midland Daily News

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, January 19, 2010

To the editor:

It has been well documented that cross-country skiing on a regular basis provides some very positive health benefits.

The problem is that most people are not interested in this sport. One reason people give for not cross-county skiing is that it is too much work. They are correct. It is too much work if you have poor technique, poor equipment and poor trails. Many cross-country skiers I see on our trails have rather poor technique as indicated by their shuffling along and use of there poles to keep from falling. A lesson would help them to be able glide and experience the real essence of the sport.

Another reason many don't ski is that they say it is too cold. The truth is that if you dress properly by layering with synthetics and using wind resistant shells you can ski comfortably in almost any weather condition — even in 5 degree temperatures.

Cross-country skiing has been called boring. It is boring if you do not have the skills to deal with hills. With proper technique, the hills are great fun and exciting. Of course, there is a major difference in the cost to enjoy hills down-hilling verses cross-country skiing.

Poor trail conditions is another factor that quickly turns new cross-country skiers from our sport. We are very fortunate that in Midland this is not a problem. At the City Forest in particular we have trails that are being groomed at a world class level — very flat and smooth with an excellent deep classic track. We now have some very dedicated people working with our City Forest trails. They know what they are doing and take great pride in keeping the trails in good shape. Bart Heil and Vicky Scott are two of the key people involved in this effort.

The other reason that people give for not skiing is a lack of snow. The last two years this has not been a problem at all. During both of these years we have been able to ski nearly every day from Thanksgiving through mid-March. If the snow is not deep enough for Pine Haven, the City Forest, or the Nature Center, it often is still good on the golf courses.

So the next time you are trying to decide whether to go cross-country skiing, I hope you will decide to join us on one of our fine local ski trails.